Trailblazers by Sheep Bridge. [photo by Michael]

Yanis, Terri, Debbie, Li, Peggy, Ralph, Les, Cindy.

On a cool and partly cloudy morning the Arizona Trailblazer headed off to Sheep Bridge. This bridge was built so sheep could safly cross the Verde river to get to their summer pastures. We took the Seven Springs road up to the rough road that goes over to Sheep Bridge. Just after we made the turn, I stopped for a rest break. When I walked back to Ralph's truck I could see the front tire deflating. All and all this was a good spot to change a tire. After the tire change we continued to the look out above the bridge.

Getting spare down. [photo by Li]

First look at the bridge. [photo by Li]

Look at how many sheep they can pack on the bridge. [photo by Debbie]

This bridge has been here awhile. [photo by Debbie]

We get to the parking area and there is just enough room for our two trucks. Time to get on the move. We are doing the Verde River trail today. There are others, but this one stays by the river. If we stayed on it to the end, we would be in Camp Verde. These trails are not used much any more, so at a few spots we have to hunt for the trail. The Verde is flowing bank to bank today. We have to cross a few creeks, but they are small and only get our feet wet.

On the trail again. [photo by Cindy]

Verde is over flowing its banks. [photo by Li]

Small creek crossing. [photo by Michael]

Direct approch to creek crossing. [photo by Li]

The desert is very green for this hike. We have had plenty of rain and some of the wild flowers are out today. As we continue we find a rattlesnake getting some sun on the trail. We give him a wide berth. As we pass he decides to move under a bush. He is a little skinny from his long slept. We contine on to our lunch spot. We turn off the trail to get to a shady spot by the river. To stay on the trail we would have had to continue up the gulley just past the cliffs.

Green desert. [photo by Michael]

Rattlesnake getting some sun. [photo by Debbie]

Some white flowers. [photo by Li]

Some red flowers. [photo by Li]

We find a good spot for lunch and have a seat. It is nice to listen to the sound of the water rushing by. It is time to go back for our hot tub soaking. There is a hot springs next to the bridge that the herders made into a bath tub. It was good to get a hot bath after camping 3 to 4 months. After the hot tub it was time to head back and Ralph truck made it back to the car pool spot with no more trouble.

Good spot for lunch by the Verde. [photo by Cindy]

Overlook of the bridge. [photo by Cindy]

Large Saguaro. [photo by Debbie]

Large log jam. [photo by Debbie]

Your outback hot tub. [photo by Li]

Time to soak the feet. [photo by Cindy]

Some of the headers names. [photo by Cindy]